Remote control mechanism



April 13 1926. 1,580,877

.w. E. BARBER REMOTE CONTROL -MECHANISM Filed Sept. 28, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l m I f4 I a /5 2V' D 22 /r/G. f/ l l l y lm U \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\|ll|.

E z wa 5 fun HH lmll/l/l 37 lill-mi Am l\\\\\\\\\\\\\| l "Q25 www April 13 ,1926.l l 1,580,877

w. E. BARBER REMOTE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed sept. 28, 1925 5 sheets-sheet 2 April 13 1926. 1,580,877

W. E. BARBER REMOTE CONTROL MEGHANISM Filed Sept. 28I 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet. 5

22 /7 /3 ,2 /4 7 s, 2 l I 25 vll/llllllllll IIIA '11111111 HIIIHI @www April 13,1926. 1,580,877

W. E. BARBER REMOTE CONTROLA MFCHANISMv Filed Sept. 28' 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 13,1926.-l v 1,580,877

- W. E. BARBER REMOTE CONTROL MEGHANI SM Filed Septy l28l 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet F/ G `Patented Apr. 1926.

4wrnnun nnwmnnnannn, orgrmnonouon, NGLJID.

annorncon'rnor. inscannen. y

sppuemen mea september 2s, ma. serial 1re. sam.

YIQ all 'whom it may concern.'

57B@ it, known that I, WILLIAM .EDWARD BARBER, a subject` of the King of Great Britain, residing in Farnborough, `Engful' Improvements in or Relating to Remote Control Mechanism, for which application for .patent was filed in Great Britain on Jul 18, 1924, No. 14,727, and of which the fol owing is a specification l This invention relates to improvements in vices at a distance. The improved mechanism is particularly suitable for' operating switches, h andles indicating means or other arts of electrica instruments, such as conensers, inductances, resistances or other wireless a paratus, or air craft or )other places, or or controlling' engines, lighting equipment, bomb release gear or photographic apparatus, on aircraft orf other places, but may `be used for other purposes.

The invention provides remote control mechanism which enables movement of -a positive or negative character or tension or Y, pressure to be transmitted from one or more control positions to one or more ldistant devices.

According to one feature of the invention remote control mechanism for transmitting positive and negative movement or for transmission of traction or thrust comprises .two members, both of which are practlcally inextensivble and incompressible, arranged one Within the other, the inner member itting and being movable longitudinally lwithin the outer member, which is stationlary and being composed of superposed.

windings of coiled Wire of which adjacent layers are Wound with opposite hands or in opposite directions, and the outer member consisting of piping which can be bent in any direction. Each la er of .the inner member maybe wound with multiple wires side by side. The coiled wire consists of wire coiled in helical coils of'small pitch tightly Wound' on one another in opposite directions, whereby a composite inner mem- Aber is produced possessing inextensible properties. f

The inner member may be connected to operating or operated devices situate at terminal or intermediate positions of the system.

land, have 'invented rtain new and usefv The arrangement permits the accurate transmission of longitudinal'movement from one mission lying in planes another.

Ina modification of theinvention, the in ner member may be adapted to move long-itudinally Within the outer y/member for pri'- mary purposes and to move rotationally within the outer member for secondary-purposes.

Other features of the invention comprise special means for connecting the inner member to the operating or operated devices,

at an angle to one part to another along aline of transterminal fittings for the ends of the inner member, means for ladjusting the relative lengths of the inner and outer members. means for controlling'the transmission of movement, and arrangements or constructions or transmission systems.

`Various examples of remote control mechanism according to the present invention are illustrated, by way of example, in the acompanyingl 1 is, as to the rig t hand end, a longi udinal elevation and, as to the left hand nd, a longitudinal section of an inner transmitting member and an outer pipe member provided with terminal fittings; Fig. 2 is an elevation of one form of operating device for use With the inner and outer members; Fig.

drawings, in which Fig.

3 is an elevation showing the same operating device connected to the inner and outer members; Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively,- sectional elevations of details on the lines 4.-.-4 in Fig. 5 and 5-5 .(Fig. 2); Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in section, of one form of operated device connected to the inner and outer members; Fig. 7` is a sectional elevation on the line l,7--7 (Fig. 6) Fig. 8 is an elevation partly in sectlon of another for-m of oper-` atedV device connected to the inner and outer members; Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation on the line 9--9 (Fig. 8) Fig. 10 is a longitudinal elevation of another form of operating 'device connected to the inner and outer members, one form of means for adjusting the relative lengths of the .inner and outer members, and one form of means for controlling the transmission of movement; Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional elevations on the lines 11--11 and 12-'12 (Fig. 10);

Fig. 13 is an elevation of an arrangement ,y

l' herinbefore and hereinafter referred to,

wherein a device is referred to as an operating device it may be used as an operated device, and vice versa. v

Referring particularly to Fig. 1,/the numeral 1 indicates an inner member 1n the form of a round rod composed of superposed windings of coiled steel or other su1t able wire, each layer being wound with a different hand from the layer inside 1t, and each layer being wound with multiple wires side by side. 2 indicates an outer tube of drawn brass or other suitable metal, within which the flexible rod-like inner. member can slide, the clearance between the inner and outer members being reduced to a minimum, so that the inner member fits and is movable longitudinally within the outer member. Owing to the flexible nature of the inner and outer members they can be bent to any convenient shape to suit various applications of the mechanism.

The inner member may be connected to an operating or operated device by means, for

example, of a pin 3 and a slot 4 (Figs. 3,

4, 5, 8, 13 and 15) coacting between a plain slide 7 attachedto the inner member and a lever or crank 5 on spindle 10, the slide being arranged in continuity with or otherwise made fast to the inner member and sliding in a stationary guide l9;' or in place of the slide 7 and lever 5 there may be a slidable rack 7x and a pinion 8 (Fig. 6), the rack being arranged in continuitywith or otherwise made fast' to the inner melnber and slidingv in a stationary guide 9, and the pinion 8 being made fast on an operating or operatedspindle 10 on the device.

Each end of the inner member may be secured in a errule 11 (Fig. 1) which is formed with a head 12 and slid into or out of engagement with abutments or jaws 13 (Figs 2 and 3) on astem 14 by a movement laterally of said jaws. The ferrule is locked in position between the jaws 13 by a nut 15 (Figs. 1, 3) encircling the errule and the jaws of the stem. The ferrule may extend along the inner member some distance to give rigidity to the end of the inner member where it projects through the end of the outer member. The stem 14 may be made as part of or may be fast to the slide 7 in the guide 9 which is mounted on a base plate or frame 17. The outer member may terminate withinI a thimble 18 (Fig. 1) through which the inner member 1 extends and which is adapted to guide the inner member. The thimble 18 has la flange 18 atvone end which, when the thimble is introduced laterally into a key-hole slot 19 (Fig. 2) in a lug,`bracket or the like pro jection 20 on the'base plate, bears against nut 21 screwed on the thimble has a shank 22whicl1, when the nut. 21 is screwed up` on the thimble 18 against the opposite face of said projection, is adapted to enter a countersinkin the lug.

The system comprisin the innerand outer members, terminal ttings, slides and base plates ma be assembled and applied as a single unit where required. For example, t ve base plates may be adapted to slide in guides on an instrument to. be operated. The connection between the inner member and the handle or. part of the instrument to be operatd may ,be eiected througha quadrant or the like adapted to be screwed or clamped on to the instrument handle and to be detached when it is desired to operatel the instrument direct without the remote control connection.- In Figs. 8 and A9. the connection between the inner member Aconverting rectilineal motion into rotary motion o. vice versa, such as slidable rack androtary pinion gear 7", 8 (Fig. 6) or pin and slot or the like gear 3, 4 (Figs. 3, 8, 13, 16); to enable the slider 7 to be operated lby the rotary handle, lever or the like 5, or vice versa.

lA nut 24 (Figs. 6, 8, and 11) is provided adapted to work in an annular groove 25 in or against an abutment on the slide 7 and to rotate on the stem 14 or on a fitting 11x on the inner member so as to alter the effective length of the inner member.

4The operating means for effecting the `transmission of movement may be adapted one face of said projection, and a milled 13, and 15) is associated with a slide conmeans of a nected to the inner member by ike, the lever pin and slot connection or the bein may work in a slot 29 (Fig-4) to .limit the movement. Any suitable means may be provided for locking the slide in one or more predetermined positions.' Similarly, any known means maybe provided for imparting a varying movement, instead of a simple roportional movement, to. the inner memiier fromy ay regular turning of the cam. In some cases, a slidable rack 7x Y(Fig. 6)' of cylindrical form. made fast to the inner member and engaging` a pinion 8, may be employed so that axial movement of the inner member causes the rack to slide and turn the pinion, and rotary movement of the inner member rotates the rack butleaves the pinion stationary. l

The. means for operating the inner member may be adapted to impart either axial or rotary movement alternatively to .the inner member. For example, the inner member may be provided at one terminal posit-ion with a slide 7 (Figs. 10 and 11) which Works in a cylindrical -guide 9 and adapted to reciprocate within the cylinder or to be rotated about the axis of the slide and thereby impart corresponding movement to the inner member. In any case, Where the inner member terminates v`and is connected to an operating or Ioperated device, it may be provided, as aforesaid, with a ferrule or-guide sleeve to make it rigid at this part. l

The constructional arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 5 comprises an inner member 1 and an outer member 2, the inner member attachedv to a slide 7 and the outer mem -r being attached to a base plate in the manner already described. The slide is connected by a pin 3 .and a slot 4 to a hand lever 5 mounted on a spindle 10 on the base plate.

The movements of the lever are limited by nuts 43 on the guide 9, and are indicated by a pointer 37 on the lever and the scale 38 on the base plate.

The constructional arrangement shown in Figs. 6 and 7 comprises an inner member 1 and an outer member 2, the inner member being attached to the stem 14 preferably in the same manner in which the inner member is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 as attached to the slide 7. The stem 14 is attached by means of an adjusting nut 24 working in a groove 25 to a cylindrical rack 7x mounted 1n a guide 9 on a base 17, and the outer member 2 is connected to the base 17, preferably in the manner in which the outer member is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 as attached to the base plate. a pinion 8 mounted on a spindle 1() supported on the base, on which spindle is a handle 23. The longitudinal movements of the rack are limited by engagement of a radial pin 26 on the rack with the ends of a'. slot 27 in the guide, and are indicated the base. 39 is aV friction sprin carried by the handle and bearing on .the ial plate.

'I he constructional arrangement shown in- F1gs. 8 and 9 com rises an lnner member 1 and an outer mem r 2, theinnermember `being attached to a. stem 14 in the same manner in which said' member is shownI in Figs. 1. 2 and 3 Ias attached to the slide 7, and the outer memberbeing attached to the base 17 preferably in the same manner in which said member is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 as attached to the base member. The stem 14 is attached by means of an adjustirgfnut'24 workin in a groove 25 to a cylin rical slide 7. 26 on the slide 7 has a slot 4 in which works a roller 3 carried by a stud on a crank 5 mounted on a spindle 10 supported on the base. The spindle 10 carries a handle 23. The longitudinal movements of the slide are limited by engagement of the radial projection with the ends of a slot 27 inthe guide. v

The constructional arrangement shown in' Figs. 10 to 12 comprises an inner member 1 and,an opter member 2, the inner member being attached by means of a square cross section ferrule 11X an adjusting -nut 24, a setscrew 31 and a handle 23 to a slide 7 vmounted in a cylinder 9 on a base 17, the

outer member 2 terminatin within a thimble 18c secured to thecylin er by a set screw 180. The nut 24 Works against thehandle forming an abutment on the plunger. The inner member is sweated in the ferrule 11",

and the thimble 18x is extended within the Amoves o ver a scale 38 on a dial plate on i i radial proj ectiom slide 7 as a ferrule or guide sleeve 30. The

axial and rotary movements of the slide are controlled by a radial pin26 on the slide engaging slots 27, 28 in the cylinder.

The constructional arrangement shownin Figs. 13 and 14 comprises duplicate inner and outer members 1, 2, t-he two inner members being attached by means of heads 12 on errules 11 and nuts 15 to separate pairs of jaws 13 on a yoke f36 to which is connected one end of a stem 14 which has its other e'nd connected to one end of a slide 7 mounted in a guide 9v on a base plate 17. The outer members 2 are connected to the base plate 17 preferably in the same manner as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; The slide isl connected by a' .pin 3 and a slot 4 to a lever 5 mounted on a spindle 10 on the base plate, and the movements of the lever are limited by nuts 43 on the guide l9. The rackvengages Fig. 15 shows an arrangement of remote control system for transmitting movement adapted at each terminal position X, Z, and at one or more intermediate positions Ywith vmeans for connecting an inner member 1 in an outer member 2 to an operating or operated devlce. In such arrangements the inother terininal position Z, pf a remote control system. The operating device at X, Y or Z atthe time being handled moves the 4o rating devices. at the time not being hand ed, so that all move in synchronism. The inner member 1 is in effect continuous at the intermediate position Y, so that the operated device at Y or Z can be operated from more than one control ition. the arrangement shown, a sli e 7 in con.- tinuity with the inner memberl at each ter minal and intermediate position X, Y, Z is interconnected, b means of slot and pin gear ,to an operating or operated leverl 5.

` The form of control according to the pres-` ent invention, wherein the main transmission is eiected by longitudinal movement of the inner member, gives accurate and consistent working wlt-hout loss of adjustment, both at slow and high speeds.

For purposes ofremote control of wireless instruments or the like light apparatus,sat isiactory results may be obtained with an inner memberof if inch diameter and cornposed of four layers of hardened and'tempered flexible steel wires, sliding in an outer tube of 0.167 inch internal diameter and 0.036 inch thickness composed of solid drawn brass. Where controls are required for transmission of higher power, inner and outer members of larger diameters may be employed.

The special constructions and arrangements of inner and outer members according to the present invention are advantageous over Bowden wire for transmitting movement by means of a slide engaging a lever, or by means of a rack engaging a pinion or similar connections, for operatlng a plurality of devices from one Vcontrol position, or for operating one device from a plurality of control positions, and the various constructional arrangements shown in the present specification have been specially designed to enable the improved arrangements of inner and outer members to be applied in the most advantageous manner.

The various devices shown for use with the inner and outer members for transmitting positive and negative movement have been specially devised for use in apparatus for such double purpose (inter alia, for maintaining alignment of the inner and outer members where they are engaged with tho operating or operated devices), as distinguished fromdevices for transmitting 'movement only in one direction.

said invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical effect, I claim y1. Remote control. mechanism for transmitting positive and negative longitudinal movement, comprising a pair of relatively movable. inextensible and incompressible vmembers arranged one within vthe other, the

inner member being composed of super osed windings of closely coiled wirebf whic adjacent layers are wound in opposite directions, and the louter member consisting of tubin bendable in any'direction.

2. emotev control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein each layer of windings of In "the inner member consists of multiple wires side by side.

3. Remote control mechanism for transmitting positive and negative longitudinal movement, comprising a pair of relatively movable and inextensible and incompressible members arranged, one within the other and of which theinner member is composed of superpos'ed windings of closel coiled Wire havin adjacent layers woun in opposite directions, a guide, and a slide connectedto one of said relatively movable members and movable in said guide.

4. Remote control mechanism according to claim 3 embodying means for converting the longitudinal movement of the slide into rotary movement.

5. Remote control mechanism for transmltting positive and negative longitudinal movement, comprising a pair of inextensible and Iincompressible members arranged one within thev other, the outer member being fixed and consisting of tubing bendable in any direction and the inner member being composed of superposed windings of closely coiled wire of which the adjacent layers are wound in opposite directions, the inner membei` being movable longitudinally within the outer member for primary purposes and rotatable within the outer member for secondary purposes. l

6. Remote control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the outer member is fixed and the inner member is movable and. wherein the inner member is connected with operating or operated devices situate at terminal,

Having thus described the natureJ of the the end of said inner member, a slide having jaws between which said fitting ma be inserted in a direction transversely o the direction of the length of said inner member for connecting said inner member and slide together and means associated with said fit- .'ng and said jaws for locking said fitting between said jaws.

8. Remote control mechanism for transmitting positive and negative longitudinal movement, comprising a pair of inextensible and incompressible members arranged orne within the other, the outer member consisting of tubing bendable in any direction and the inner member being longitudinally movable within the outer member, a thimble connected to said outer member and serving as a guide for said inner member, a fixed member havin a slot to receive said thimble and a countersink, and a nut associated with said thimble and having a shank adapted to enter said countersink for securing said outer member to said fixed member.

9. Remote control mechanism according to claim 1, comprising a stationary guide, a slide movable in said guide a fitting secured to the movable member and engageable with said slide and a nut adjustable on said movable member for varying the eifective length ofl said movable member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this s ecication.

WILL AM EDWARD BARBER. 

